The 12 New Documentaries You'll Be Binge-Watching This Autumn

While we might all be basking in post-work drinks and the hot summer weather this month (jokes, we live in the U.K), we'll soon have to come to terms with the fact the nights are going to get darker, it will get colder and sitting outside drinking Pimms when it's raining isn't fun, no matter how much alcohol you drink.

Thankfully, there's a bunch of new documentaries hitting our screens this Autumn that are going to make sitting at home with a family-size bag of Kettle crisps in your pyjamas a valid excuse not to socialise mid-week.

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On Tuesday, Netflix announced it will unveil four new original documentaries at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival next month, including the much-talked-about documentary Amanda Knox.

We've rounded up a list of the best documentaries hitting our laptop screens later this year:

Amanda Knox, 30 September on Netflix

Directed by award-winners Rod Blackhurst and Brian McGinn, the documentary looks at the notorious murder case of British student Meredith Kercher and her roommate, American exchange student Amanda Knox who was accused of her brutal murder.

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MOST POPULAR

Love And Hate Crime, TBC on BBC Three

This three-apart series delves into the rife world of hate crimes int he US, looking at the dangers that face those who are victimised, and the polarised opinions among those who commit vicious hate crimes. The series will look into the murder of a transgender woman by her boyfriend, a Texan man killed for being day and explore how two Mississippi teenagers ended up involved in a race hate killing.

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Weiner, out now

Sexts, lies, politics – sounds like a great foundation for a documentary.

Directed by Elyse Sternberg and Josh Kriegman, this revelatory documentary follows former New York congressman Anthony Weiner's 2013 campaign for mayor of New York City.

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Weiner comes two years after the politician sent a photo of himself in grey boxer briefs to a colleague – and action that was subsequently condemned by President Obama and the press and resulted in Weiner's resignation from Congress.

While the film was originally intended to show the comeback of a politician, it unravels to show the underworld of American politics and questions whether the past can ever be truly forgotten.

Into The Inferno, 28 October on Netflix

If you love David Attenborough and Brian Cox, you'll love Into The Inferno. The documentary is presented by Werner Herzon and volcanologist Clive Oppenheimer who look into the world's most fascinating volcanoes, from Indonesia to Iceland, exploring the link between humans and one of the world's most terrifying wonders.

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My Scientology Movie, TBC October/November in cinemas

Fascinated by the Church of Scientology, investigative journalist Louis Theroux refuses to be told 'no' when his request to enter the Church's headquarters is denied. Following conversations with ex Scientology members and an attempt to enter the church, Louis soon meets with followers of the Church who, in turn, reveal they're making a documentary about him.

MOST POPULAR

O.J.: Made in America, out now

If you were glued to the screen watching The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story earlier this year, you're going to love O.J.: Made in America.

Brought to you by Emmy-award winning director Ezra Edelman, O.J.: Made in America revisits the Simpson's case – the domestic abuse, the police investigation, the infamous white Bronco car case, the trial – drawing on interviews with 70 of the athletes closest friends and colleagues who give their experience of the saga.

The question is, will you come away with the truth?

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Tickled, 19 August in cinemas

Have you ever heard of competitive endurance tickling? Well, neither had journalist David Farrier until he fell down the rabbit hole into what he calls 'a tickling empire' (we know this sounds funny but you'll be terrified of it after watching this documentary).

What he discovered was terrifying.

From homophobic insults to threats of legal action this is a unique exploration into a never-before-seen competitive world of sport, fetishism and blackmail.

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The Ivory Game, 4 November on Netflix

If the thought of ivory trafficking makes you're blood boil, you'll want to tune into this epic documentary centre on the sinister world of ivory poachers. Award-winning director Richard Ladkani and Academy Award-nominated director Kief Davidson have teamed up to film 16-months of undercover investigations into the illegal practice. A compelling and motivating watch.

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Gleason, out now

Following its debut at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, this documentary has received rave reviews for its exploration into the life of Steve Gleason – the former New Orleans Saints player who was diagnosed with ALS and given a life expectancy of 2-5 years. The documentary is a video journal of key moments in the athlete's life following his diagnosis, from finding out his wife is pregnant with their first child to coming to terms with his deteriorating physical condition.

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Life Animated, 9 December

Academy Award-winning director Roger Ross Williams brings a fascinating story about Owen Suskind – a young child with autism who was unable to speak until he found Disney's animated films. From Peter Pan to The Jungle Book, his parents bring Owen up using the power of Disney to help him overcome his obstacles and enter adulthood on his own.

MOST POPULAR

The White Helmets, 16 September on Netflix

Step into Syria, Aleppo and Turkey in this original short documentary as it follows three volunteer rescue workers who dedicate their lives to saving civilians affected by the war. You might need some tissues for this one.

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Sonita, out now

Documentary film-maker Rokhsareh Ghaemmaghami crosses the boundary between observer and action-taker in this intriguing documentary.

Having discovered a 14-year of Afghan teenager (Sonita) who dreams of becoming a rapper and uses music to talk about her sexist surroundings in Iran, Ghaemmaghami soon finds herself involved in Sonita's fight not to be sold off as a child bride.

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Warning: once you start watching these documentaries, you probably won't have a social life until Christmas.

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